Librophilia
Introducing Geology: A Guide to The World of Rocks
by Graham Park
Our world is made of rock. Although much of the Earth’s surface is covered by
vegetation, concrete or water, if one digs down far enough solid rock will always
be found. Those who live in a landscape where rock outcrops are obvious will
have wondered about the kind of rocks they are looking at and how they came
to be where they are now. This introductory book explains in simple terms what
geology can tell us about the world. Many objects of great beauty and which excite
our curiosity, such as crystals or fossils, are to be found by examining rocks. Those
searching for and examining such objects gain much more by knowing how and
when they originated. In particular fossils, whilst interesting in themselves, tell us
from their context in geological time of biological evolution and these clues give an
insight into the origins of life on earth. Copiously illustrated this book is intended for
those whose interest in geology has been awakened, perhaps by media coverage
of earthquakes or dinosaurs and want to know more. Technical terms are kept to a
minimum and are explained in a glossary.
Geology: The Key Ideas (Teach Yourself)
by David Rothery
Understand Geology is a definitive introduction to the nature and workings of
the Earth. Extensively illustrated it covers everything from earthquakes and plate
tectonics to the formation of rocks and minerals. With clear explanations of complex
geological processes, and a glossary of specialist terms, this book will give you a
new understanding of the planet we live on.
NOT GOT MUCH TIME?
One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.
AUTHOR INSIGHTS
Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the
author’s many years of experience.
EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Extra online articles at www.teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.
Gemstones of The World
by Walter Schumann
Newly published in a fifth edition, this definitive guide takes the mystery out of
appreciating, buying and selling gemstones. It covers everything from the romance
and history of more than 1,800 gemstones to their geographic locations; scientific,
physical and colour properties; and the way they are formed, structured and
mined. The book also fully covers the optical features of gems - light and colour,
luminescence, refraction and inclusions - and key information about the densities
and chemical elements of each stone, with fascinating details on different cuts,
polishing, gems, hardness, cleavage, classification, trade names, rarity and more.
There are also many charts and diagrams as well as magnificent colour photographs
of the stones with data about them on the facing page. If you want only one book
on gemstones in your library, this would be the one!
4 | FUSE
Did you
know?
hh Naturally forming chalk is actually made
up of millions of little fossils called
cocoliths, which were the round “shells”
of animals called cocolithophores.
hh The study of earthquakes started in at
least 350 BC when Aristotle noticed that
soft grounds shake more than the hard
rocky ground.
hh Mauna Loa, the largest volcano on
Earth, is located in Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park, Hawaii. Mauna Loa is over
30,000-ft tall from the sea floor to the
summit, that’s taller than Mt. Everest!
hh Flint is thought to be re-crystallised
silica from sea sponges from the
Cretaceous period
hh Looking at the bulk composition of
the Earth the most common mineral is
generally regarded as olivine since the
mantle makes up the bulk of the Earth
and olivine makes up the bulk of the
mantle.
hh Diamonds are not actually forever! They
are unstable on the Earth’s surface and
will eventually degrade into a stable
form of carbon (graphite).
hh Some minerals fluoresce under UV light
due to impurities known as activators.
The activator absorbs ultraviolet
radiation, and in reaction emits a
combination of visible light (colour).
Sometimes the activator electrons get
stuck in their high-energy state and the
mineral will continue to glow after the
UV light is switched off. This is called
phosphorescence. Common minerals
that fluoresce are Calcite and Fluorite.
hh Minerals are defined by being an
inorganic, naturally forming, substance
with a definite chemical composition
and usually a definite crystal structure.
All of which ice satisfies. So by
definition, ice is a mineral.
hh The deepest place is near the Mariana
Islands in the Pacific. It is 11,033 meters
(36,201 feet) below sea level. If Mount
Everest were placed inside of this
trench, it would disappear. The deepest
part of the trench is named Vitjazdepth.
The trench was formed when the Pacific
plate collided with the Philippine plate,
which also resulted in the formation of
the nearby island Guam.
hh Mount Kilimanjaro, the giant mountain
in East Africa is actually a dormant
volcano. It is 19,340 feet (5,895 metres)
high at the peak. On the slopes of
Mount Kilimanjaro, at c9,000 feet
(2,800 metres) the only animals around
Kilimanjaro are moles, rats and birds of
prey. At higher altitudes there is just the
odd spider that can reach the summit
and survive the freezing temperatures!
hh Diamonds are older than the dinosaurs.
The youngest natural diamond is over
900 million years old!
hh The Magnetic North Pole is not in the
same location as the real North Pole.
In actuality it is located near Ellesmere
Island in Canada. But on top of that, it
has moved throughout history and is
currently moving at about 40 miles per
year. It even flips with the South Pole on
a regular basis every ~0.8 million years.
hh Japan \